My DaySpring Story: Part 2

(To read Part One click here. And if you can't see the images click here.) 

I slipped my card ideas into an envelope and sent them off with hope and a prayer.

Have you ever sent a dream, a piece of your heart, out into the world?

Then you know how my heart was pounding all the way to the mailbox. And at nineteen years old, I had no clue about all the proper things you're supposed to do to get published.

 

...CHRIST

He is with you and many prayers are for you as you fight this battle.

You answer me and encourage me by giving me the strength I need. Psalm 138:3

When the phone rang a few weeks later a sweet woman named Ann (who is still my coworker) told me yes, DaySpring did want some of my ideas. I didn't know then that their freelance acceptance rate was about one percent.

Ann asked if I'd like to send more ideas or drop them off personally and meet the staff. It turned out DaySpring was only about thirty minutes from where I attended college. I told her I'd love to stop by.

  

DaySpring started out small. They relocated from California in the early 1970s and the building where I first worked was a renovated duplex that was expanded bit by bit to hold over a hundred employees (of the almost 500 who worked there then). It overflowed with life and creativity.

So for more reasons than one, when I walked through the door that first day it felt like my heart came home.

Roy Lessin, one of the founders, took me to the product room where row after row of cards was displayed, much like my grandparents' store. He told me to look around while I waited to meet with Linn (who is still my boss now!).

As I quietly read through cards, Roy slipped up behind me again. He tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a journal. On the cover a blond-haired, brown-eyed little girl smiled in a photograph. She looked a lot like me.

I thanked Roy for the kind gift. After he walked away, I flipped through the blank pages of the journal. I couldn't help thinking of another journal--one that had a thousand pages. I'd just finished it and so many of the events recorded there during my season of rebellion filled me with regret.

I felt the Lord whispering, "Start over...and don't write anything on these new pages you wouldn't want me to read."

By the time Linn came to get me, I realized a new chapter in my life was beginning.

I'm glad God called me to DaySpring then--not when I was the "Christian good girl," not when I felt like I deserved it, not even when I knew anything about publishing.

I'm here not because of what I've done or know but because of Who chose me for reasons beyond my understanding.

If you have a God-dream in your heart you may be thinking, "But I need to be more _________. Or I need to know__________. Or if I could just ____________. " I hope my story encourages you that God is bigger than all of those blanks.

As Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails."

Yes, we are to be proactive partners in the process who pursue excellence. But God is the one who makes it happen. Nothing is impossible for Him...and for us because we are His.

And in my adventure with DaySpring He was just getting started--to be continued.

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Comments

[amy]

Holley! I have tears in my eyes! What a beautiful story! And you know I have a friend facing cancer...that first card about belonging to an even "bigger C" took my breath away! LOVE it!
You are so inspiring. Thanks for encouraging others by sharing what God has done for you!
Love you!
Amy

[thegypsymama]

Holley -

I really needed to hear this today, this week. The reminders abound of His goodness and faithfulness, but somehow they are easy to miss or forget. Imagining a young girl standing in a room full of cards with a fresh journal in her hands is an image that will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you,
Lisa-Jo

[Fiona]

I LOVE this!! It is sooooo encouraging.

Also - Happy Birthday for tomorrow!!! Hope it is an absolutely wonderful day!!

Much love.

[Shaunie Friday]

This is so encouraging Holley! I frequently let the obstacles of my lack (both perceived and real) interrupt my pursuit of the things God has put in my heart. Your story is such a sweet reminder that He is the One who enables us to become what He made us to be, in spite of ourselves. Thank you!!

[dawn]

Holley-

What a beautiful story...so encouraging. Thank you so much for sharing it!

It's so good to know we don't have to have it together for God to use us...whew!

Sometimes our dreams are so personal we don't dare to share them...but God knows them. Many times He put them there...

I'm smiling.

[melissa @ the inspired room]

Great post Holley...and so true. God can do amazing things in spite of all the obstacles we put in front of Him! I know that is true in my own life, when I let God work exciting things happen!

Blessings,
Melissa

[Tiffany]

Holly. I totally needed this today. Thank you for sharing your story. Of your dreams. God is so good.

[Chrissy]

Thank you for telling your story! It is so beautiful and encouraging! I love it! :]

[Maureen]

You have such an amazing story! Wow! I seriously can't wait to hear more...

[deb @ talk at the table]

To dreams and hope , and the incredible mystery.
Beautiful .

[Stacy]

What a wonderful post! I loved it.

[Lori Zimbardi]

I love that you has the courage to sent them in the first place. I think so many of us have our dream ready to go, in the envelope, sealed and with a stamp but we can't bring ourselves to send it off. Great post.

[Jennifer]

Such a great reminder that God is "bigger than all those blanks"... all in His time, all in His way! I am so encouraged by following your journey, thank you for sharing it!

[jenifriend]

oh holly that final card is so fantastic (as if the others aren't!)!!

[Reese]

Gosh.I can't wait another week. "To be Continued.." what? You inspire me Holley girl. Thank you.

your friend,
reese

[Elaine Phillips]

Happy Birthday for tomorrow, Holley. :) Thanks for the encouragement. EP in Canada

[Crystal]

What a marvelous story about God's plans and His purpose for our lives. I'm so glad you listened to Him!

[Kathy Howard]

I loved your story.

[Linda]

Oh Holley, I love everything about your story. I'm so encouraged in knowing the Father didn't wait for you to get your life all in order; that He brought you to the place that was the perfect fit; that He has taken the thing you love to do and used it for His glory.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Thank you for your encouraging words to me. You are so very dear. I am so glad the Lord allowed our paths to cross.

[deidra]

This was definitely meant for me to read today. I've got all of those empty, blank, unfinished sentences swimming around in my head and heart. Thanks for reminding me Who can fill them...

[Cathy Davis]

Hi Holley!

I wanted to stop by and say HI! And tell you that I bought the "rainbow" cards a while back. What a nice surprise they are a Holley design :-).

[Maria Jones-Davidson]

Dear Holley, What a beautiful story and day spring story! Thank you so much for your life so committed, so devoted to God and so close to Him. You are an inspiration and a massive blessing to the masses and to all of us...:)May God always remind you in the Word of God that you are fearfully and wonderfully made in Jesus! I also have dreams and aspirations I still want to reach in the name of the Lord but little by little God unfolds them and shows them in front of me that already things are happening around me... I just want to give thanks to God for all His many blessings and for answering my prayers!

[~Grace & Peace]

Holley,
Why am I crying? Because the story you shared and the cards you posted shows what God can do when He is in charge. That no matter how far we have gone, no matter how we rebelled, He brings us back. If we left Him.

I love the "C" card - this would have been perfect for my mom...I miss her so much.

Continue to be a blessing, Holley. Keep using your talent for His glory.

Love you much ~

[~Grace & Peace]

I meant if we "let" Him, not "left" Him.
Sorry for the typo.

[Sarah Mae]

Holley, this is so wonderful...reading your story, it so beautiful (probably because you write it so well!). I can't wait to read the next post!